My favorite budget Espadin – distinct agave and tropical notes – this mezcal always makes me feel like its summertime and it has a great nose also. Usually hovers around $40-50 and the high proof hits but doesn’t knock you over.

Not sure I would want to buy an entire bottle again but its something that mezcal lovers should try once. The salt water really come across first and then raw agave and unrefined flavors as other reviewers have attested to. Not for the faint of heart but an experience nonetheless of an increasingly rare type of mezcal. The Capon style is unique in that the quiote is cut so all the sugar/starch remain in the pina which can result in a rich and complex mezcal albeit vastly different than what we typically encounter with Espadin.

I’m not a big fan of Salmiana but I keep a bottle on hand of this expression as its my favorite of the bunch and the price makes it a must try for those that love the sweet distinct green peppers and vegetal notes that dominate Salmiana. Light cheese also present but for a low price option in this space you can’t go wrong. Another great option for those that say they don’t like mezcal….

For the money (generally around $40) this mezcal is one of my favorites. Tropical flavors, cantaloupe, and light smoke (which is good for mezcal haters). Not ideal for Cupreata purists as this is a little light and doesn’t carry the funk that some look for but nonetheless a pleasant bottle to sip on as it lingers in your mouth and doesn’t come across diluted.

Had the great fortune to arrange a meeting with Tio Rey and get a sense of the production process in Sola De Vega last year and I now will be forever biased. A small batch ancestral mezcal with a beautiful mix of agaves for under $100 is a must buy. A tried and true clay pot expression with notes of almonds, honey, gentle smoke and earth. For my money a 10/10 and one mezcal I always have at home.

Great bottle to share for friends that are afraid of the usual mezcal profiles as this is really interesting take on Pechuga style. Overpowering Mole flavor so best served alongside other expressions but a unique and memorable spirit especially at the price point.